Mikati expresses 'fear of low participation' from Sunnis in elections

BEIRUT – Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his “fear of low participation” from the Sunni electorate in the upcoming parliamentary elections during an interview on Tuesday with local newspaper Al-Akhbar. The prime minister also reiterated his desire not to run in the elections for the moment.

Here’s what we know:

    • “Until now, my choice is not to be a candidate,” said Mikati. “I'm still considering my final decision.” Mikati explained that his choice is not influenced by Saad Hariri's recent withdrawal from the Lebanese political scene.

    • At the end of January, Former prime minister and leader of the Future Movement Saad Hariri announced that he was “stepping aside from political life” and that he is not going to run in May’s parliamentary elections.

    • “I have repeatedly urged people to vote, refusing the boycott of the Sunni community,” Mikati noted. “I fear a low turnout from them,” Mikati added before reassuring that the party he represents, the Azm Movement, “will participate” in the elections, insisting that a boycott “would be unacceptable, whatever the reason.”

    • While doubts persist over the polls and their possible postponement, the prime minister assured that “the elections will be held on time,” adding that “the government is about to finish the whole organization of the ballot.”

    • “We have saved the necessary funds,” said Mikati. Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Tuesday at 3 p.m., and Mikati promised that “during this meeting, a decision will be taken with regard to the expenses necessary for the elections.”

    • "We consider that we need $15 million for holding the elections… A third of this amount has been raised,” said the Prime Minister before saying that the rest can be provided by the treasury “without difficulty.”